Chander Nandi and his wife were selected to be part of the yatra, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs. But on May 13, Nandi tweeted to Swaraj that he and his wife had been booked under two separate batches.

File photo of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

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New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj granted yet another ‘Twitter wish’ when she reunited a couple who have been shortlisted for this year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and allowed them to travel in the same batch.

Chander Nandi and his wife were selected to be part of the yatra, organised annually by the Ministry of External Affairs. But on May 13, Nandi tweeted to Swaraj that he and his wife had been booked under two separate batches.

In his tweet, Chander requested the foreign minister to look into the matter so that that he and his wife could travel together.

@SushmaSwaraj , Namaste Madamji, Myself & my wife selected for kailash Manas Sarovar Yatra 2018, in different batches. My wife will not be able to undertake the yatra alone. KMYS00125518 & KMYS00124418. Seek your help to put us in the same batch. I will be 70 by next year.

In a reply that went viral within minutes of being posted, the Twitter-ready Swaraj held the computer “guilty” of separating the husband and wife, adding that the couple should not worry as she will make sure they get to travel together.

The computer is guilty of separating you. But don't worry. We will send you both in the same batch. https://t.co/ygBoGH1Lux

Registrations for this year’s Kailash Mansarovar Yatra began on February 20. Those interested to undertake the advanced trek, which involves trekking around Mount Kailash and dipping in the ice cold Mansarovar lake, need to register with the government and wait for approval.

Thousands of devotees from across the country apply every year with the ministry usually organising two trekking routes (depending on the level of difficulty) for travellers to complete the tour. The selection process is computer generated and randomised and selected applicants are notified via electronic communication.

According to the rules issued by the ministry, married couples, first-timers and medical doctors are given priority.